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Apple Studio Display - Owners Thread
- Thread starter KPOM
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Being laid off overnight from my 9 to 5 job led me to purchasing not one, but two Studio Displays.
The idea of becoming independent and founding a startup with a few of my (now) ex-colleagues has been tormenting me for quite some time now, and I thought - this might be the perfect time to finally exorcise it and see how it'd go. That meant I needed to start doing a lot of work I didn't have to do up until this point, which includes, among other things, writing a lot of code in a proper IDE, with all the bells and whistles. For that purpose, my trusty M3 MaxBook Pro 14" simply wasn't good enough - I couldn't fit all the stuff I wanted to on that screen, no matter how gorgeous it is.
A few weeks ago, the first Studio Display arrived. I was hesitant to get it since I've read a lot of conflicting information in too many reviews and I didn't know what to expect. I did give it a try at an Authorized Reseller over here and in general I liked it.
I'm not a multi-monitor person. No matter how hard I try, I just can't look at more than one monitor at a time. That means I use my MacBook in clamshell mode when I'm at home doing serious work. I used to put my MacBook on a nice stand and then rely on a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Magic Trackpad (2nd gen). I like the setup overall, except that the polling rate of the trackpad is abysmal and it really shows. The built-in MacBook trackpad is simply superior in that regard. I keep hearing the polling rate is exactly the same on the 3rd gen trackpad, which is the primary reason why I didn't want to shell out the money for it.
All of the above being said, after about a week of using the display, I gotta say I like it a lot. I really, really like the 5K resolution and how sharp everything looks. I like the color accuracy although it doesn't matter in my line of work. I've never had to calibrate a screen and I don't know how I'd do that if I had to. The brightness is satisfactory as well as I can control the amount of sunlight coming into the room. I got the default, glossy version, by the way. I like the ports, just the right amount for charging all the devices, plus I got 2 more USB-C ports on my MacBook.
What I don't like is the 60Hz display, but it's still good enough and somehow isn't bothering me that much in daily work, I guess it's got something to do with the monitor being a 27" beast which is a perfect size for me. I'm amazed about the speakers - they're simply too good and it blows my mind how Apple was able to pull this off in this form factor. I do use my AirPods Max whenever I can but now I catch myself just listening to music beaming right in front of me from the display itself. Very pleasant on my ears.
The thing I definitely don't like at all is the web camera. I know there have been several firmware updates that presumably made things better, but the quality is still horrible in my opinion. It's passable during the day, but in the afternoon when I have to rely on artificial light, it's just horrendous. I'll need to get myself a proper magnetic stand for the iPhone so that I can use Continuity Camera again. Maybe it's just my OCD but I can't stand looking at myself during meetings, and I happen to have them pretty much every day while doing daily standups with the rest of the team, talking with potential clients or pitching the idea to investors. I just don't think I look that professional with such a horrible web cam.
Overall, I don't regret the purchase. So much so, that I purchased another one that's going to get shipped to my parents' house since I tend to visit them often, and now that I'm not tied to an office job, I'm going to visit them even more often, and I don't want to go back where I have to put everything on a 14" screen (although it's a proper 120Hz XDR and a real joy to look at... anyway).
I don't know if a 2nd generation is going to get released and when, there's definitely room for improvement, especially at this price point (and these are plenty expensive where I live), but overall it's a solid product, and it's making me much more productive already, which was the whole point of me investing my severance money into it. Now I just have to make the new company work out, establish some nice cash flow and all, but I hope I'll get there by the end of the year.
The idea of becoming independent and founding a startup with a few of my (now) ex-colleagues has been tormenting me for quite some time now, and I thought - this might be the perfect time to finally exorcise it and see how it'd go. That meant I needed to start doing a lot of work I didn't have to do up until this point, which includes, among other things, writing a lot of code in a proper IDE, with all the bells and whistles. For that purpose, my trusty M3 MaxBook Pro 14" simply wasn't good enough - I couldn't fit all the stuff I wanted to on that screen, no matter how gorgeous it is.
A few weeks ago, the first Studio Display arrived. I was hesitant to get it since I've read a lot of conflicting information in too many reviews and I didn't know what to expect. I did give it a try at an Authorized Reseller over here and in general I liked it.
I'm not a multi-monitor person. No matter how hard I try, I just can't look at more than one monitor at a time. That means I use my MacBook in clamshell mode when I'm at home doing serious work. I used to put my MacBook on a nice stand and then rely on a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Magic Trackpad (2nd gen). I like the setup overall, except that the polling rate of the trackpad is abysmal and it really shows. The built-in MacBook trackpad is simply superior in that regard. I keep hearing the polling rate is exactly the same on the 3rd gen trackpad, which is the primary reason why I didn't want to shell out the money for it.
All of the above being said, after about a week of using the display, I gotta say I like it a lot. I really, really like the 5K resolution and how sharp everything looks. I like the color accuracy although it doesn't matter in my line of work. I've never had to calibrate a screen and I don't know how I'd do that if I had to. The brightness is satisfactory as well as I can control the amount of sunlight coming into the room. I got the default, glossy version, by the way. I like the ports, just the right amount for charging all the devices, plus I got 2 more USB-C ports on my MacBook.
What I don't like is the 60Hz display, but it's still good enough and somehow isn't bothering me that much in daily work, I guess it's got something to do with the monitor being a 27" beast which is a perfect size for me. I'm amazed about the speakers - they're simply too good and it blows my mind how Apple was able to pull this off in this form factor. I do use my AirPods Max whenever I can but now I catch myself just listening to music beaming right in front of me from the display itself. Very pleasant on my ears.
The thing I definitely don't like at all is the web camera. I know there have been several firmware updates that presumably made things better, but the quality is still horrible in my opinion. It's passable during the day, but in the afternoon when I have to rely on artificial light, it's just horrendous. I'll need to get myself a proper magnetic stand for the iPhone so that I can use Continuity Camera again. Maybe it's just my OCD but I can't stand looking at myself during meetings, and I happen to have them pretty much every day while doing daily standups with the rest of the team, talking with potential clients or pitching the idea to investors. I just don't think I look that professional with such a horrible web cam.
Overall, I don't regret the purchase. So much so, that I purchased another one that's going to get shipped to my parents' house since I tend to visit them often, and now that I'm not tied to an office job, I'm going to visit them even more often, and I don't want to go back where I have to put everything on a 14" screen (although it's a proper 120Hz XDR and a real joy to look at... anyway).
I don't know if a 2nd generation is going to get released and when, there's definitely room for improvement, especially at this price point (and these are plenty expensive where I live), but overall it's a solid product, and it's making me much more productive already, which was the whole point of me investing my severance money into it. Now I just have to make the new company work out, establish some nice cash flow and all, but I hope I'll get there by the end of the year.
I have the Belkin one and it's nice.
So agree about the speakers. I returned the desktop ones I had recently bought when I got the ASD.
Yup, I have the Belkin one as well, but for laptops. I'll need to get the desktop version as soon as I possibly can. That's the only thing missing right now to make this setup almost perfect for me.
I don't have a Magic Trackpad 2 or 3, but I've read that the latency becomes identical to the MacBook trackpad if you use it plugged in
That is correct, but I don't think it's a wise thing to keep it connected at all times. I know the battery is small-ish but I wouldn't like it to degrade faster than it absolutely has to.
For what it's worth, Apple Magic Mouse has proper polling rate for whatever reason, I don't know the trackpad is different in that regard, and I use the mouse as well whenever I can, but I strongly prefer the trackpad.
I guess one just can't ever have the absolute perfect setup...
For what it's worth, Apple Magic Mouse has proper polling rate for whatever reason, I don't know the trackpad is different in that regard, and I use the mouse as well whenever I can, but I strongly prefer the trackpad.
I guess one just can't ever have the absolute perfect setup...
So I've seen the normal Apple Studio Display plenty of times when I went to Best Buy but I never saw the tilt stand one until I went to an Apple Store the other day and holy crap does that tilt stand make it look cool. It kind of reminds me of the G4 iMac from back in the day, and if I'm being honest that extra money on it does seem worth it, if for nothing else it makes me happy looking at it lol. But what I am wondering is, should I get one now, or see if they actually are going to be updating the monitors sometime next year? That seemed to be the rumors at one point. To have some other context, this will be by far the most monitor I have ever bought, and I am expecting it to last me 10+ years, even if I don't use it as my primary monitor towards the end. So should I just wait and see what happens next year? Thoughts?
No one can give you the right answer, but my thinking goes like this - they will want to release a 2nd gen with ProMotion and other niceties, and they can't do that until Thunderbolt 5 comes out and becomes available. Judging by the current timelines, that won't happen until some time in 2026, so I don't expect the next version of the monitor to be released before that time. There will always be rumors but at the end of the day, people need monitors to get their work done.
I couldn't wait for 2+ more years and I needed a monitor that fits well into the existing ecosystem of Apple devices I've accumulated over the years, so this was a natural choice for me despite all the drawbacks. Your situation might be different, and there's always the question about pricing and whether it's worth it for your use case.
I couldn't wait for 2+ more years and I needed a monitor that fits well into the existing ecosystem of Apple devices I've accumulated over the years, so this was a natural choice for me despite all the drawbacks. Your situation might be different, and there's always the question about pricing and whether it's worth it for your use case.
I generally agree with your point of view, but why do you think that Thunderbolt 5 won't arrive until 2026? Why not as early as 2025?
Huh? As far as external Mac displays I suppose. The MBP, iPad, and iPhone all have world-class displays for their categories. The poor old desktop gets left out
That's just my general impression. I'd love for it to arrive earlier, but even still, it's going to take at least half a year before Apple starts shipping it in their devices and then it will take additional time to produce the technology for the display, etc. All of that adds up, as we've seen many times before. These things take time, but in the end it's going to be worth the wait.
I have an M1 MacBook Air, 16" M1 Max MacBook Pro, 38" LG Ultrawide and now an Apple Studio Display. If you ask a none nerd which display looks best they choose the Apple Studio Display. I know some reviews go on about it being pricey, old tech, not as good as an XDR, no mini LED backlight, but reading text documents on this thing and coding is so much easier on the eyes. And I love the 27" size, perfect for reading a PDF document.
Just purchased a Studio Display. Though I like the display so far, I'm with the people who think the packaging is a waste of resources. I'm certainly not looking forward to breaking down the box for recycling 😝
I did search and couldn’t find a reference too my PC in here if someone else using similar PC with Thunderbolt Connector.
after many years stellar service then my trusty dell 3008wfp owned since launch has gone to monitor heaven. I think had money worth.
I have two machines at home, one an M1 Studio Max, and currently use an Intel Hades Canyon as games pc, however do have my previous hack hardware of Z390 Designare with Sapphire Pulse RX580 which has built in TB3 hardware that can output 5k.
so thinking can drive a Studio Display via the TB out of the motherboard and feed in the RX580 graphics to the Moherboard. Then TB cable out to Studio Display.
this should be relatively painless from wNat read and follow guides.
any display updates can do when connected to Mac Studio so have proper Mac to connect too it as well.
has anyone done similar with a PC. most seem to be displayport to usb-c cable references indicating feed via Displayport unless misreading.
thanks in advance
after many years stellar service then my trusty dell 3008wfp owned since launch has gone to monitor heaven. I think had money worth.
I have two machines at home, one an M1 Studio Max, and currently use an Intel Hades Canyon as games pc, however do have my previous hack hardware of Z390 Designare with Sapphire Pulse RX580 which has built in TB3 hardware that can output 5k.
so thinking can drive a Studio Display via the TB out of the motherboard and feed in the RX580 graphics to the Moherboard. Then TB cable out to Studio Display.
this should be relatively painless from wNat read and follow guides.
any display updates can do when connected to Mac Studio so have proper Mac to connect too it as well.
has anyone done similar with a PC. most seem to be displayport to usb-c cable references indicating feed via Displayport unless misreading.
thanks in advance
There's a lot more info for you in this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-studio-display-windows-compatibility.2338993/
- only one port on the Studio Display works as an input; if you want two computers, daisy chaining or plugging in both computers won't work. You need the Sabrent Thunderbolt KVM.
- be sure to install bootcamp drivers on the PC
- get the displayport cable that includes a USB-C cord on the PC side to send data signals to the PC (very important)
… also now that the Samsung 5K is out and is on sale basically all the time, I would consider that, unless you just really want the ASD nano texture. I think the likelihood of it "just working" without the trouble of bootcamp drivers is promising.
I have been able to use my Thinkpad with my studio display, however I noticed that the screen crashes when I use Webex. I think the conflict is caused by the camera.
so now I connect the PC via a Display Port to USB C and use external camera - it works like 90% of the time, sometimes the monitor goes blank and I have to reconnect.
Rob
You should consider storing the box if possible. You'll receive a greater resale value (and protect the display during shipment) if you decide to sell later.
Thanks for the advice. I'm unlikely to sell this monitor, though. I'm really in love with the way it works with my mac. People have complained that there's no on/off switch, but I'm just happy that it turns on and off with the Mac.
Count me in as a new and happy owner.
ASD replacing an AOC 28" 4k monitor on a Mac Studio M1 Ultra, looks very nice.
Webcam is okay for the little use it will get, and the speakers are fine for my audio use (for listening to music and watching movies, etc, I have other devices for that) - so removing the external webcam and speakers clears the desk some.
Primary usage for the system in Photography and some vector graphics - very impressed with the resolution in both cases.
ASD replacing an AOC 28" 4k monitor on a Mac Studio M1 Ultra, looks very nice.
Webcam is okay for the little use it will get, and the speakers are fine for my audio use (for listening to music and watching movies, etc, I have other devices for that) - so removing the external webcam and speakers clears the desk some.
Primary usage for the system in Photography and some vector graphics - very impressed with the resolution in both cases.
Curious if any body regrets getting or not getting the nano-texture? Im looking to order in the near future, height and tilt stand is a must but I’m undecided on nano-texture. I have seen both in the store and like them both
I used both side-by-side for some time, there’s a comparison here:
It happens more often than not that I wish I had the nano-texture where I am currently using the standard glass. Given the opportunity to trade for another nano-texture, I’d say yes without hesitation.